Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has launched the commemorative banknotes of 4th series of Malaysian Banknotes. It has been long waited for many collectors. However, to purchase a set of this newly launched banknotes, one has to queue for a long period of time especially during the first and second launching day.

Like many collectors, I am one of them whom patiently queueing up in order to get a set of this newly launched series of Malaysian Banknotes. BNM has imposed restriction to repeated buyers and only allow one to purchase 1 set of full set of 4th Series of Malaysian Banknotes, 5 set for each of RM1 & RM5 and RM20 commemorative banknotes.

The theme of the 4th Series of Malaysian Banknotes - 'Distinctively Malaysia' has truly reflected the uniqueness of our country's diverse culture, heritage and nature. It also features traditional expressions in art and craft, natural wonders, flora and fauna, economy and tradition. Personally, I feel that this a great series of Malaysian Banknotes because it reveals what Malaysia has.

Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) has announced the introduction of new series of Malaysian Banknotes through its press statement on 21 December 2011. It was official launched by Prime Minister of Malaysia. This 4th series of Malaysian Banknotes consists of denomination of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20 and RM100 which will be circulated in second half of 2012. The earlier issued or circulated RM50 is part of the new series. RM1 and RM5 are issued in form of polymer notes.

The 4th series of Malaysian Banknotes draws its inspiration from the distinctive features of Malaysia, incorporating elements of the country's natural treasures, culture and heritage. Themed 'Distinctively Malaysia', the banknotes features traditional expressions in the art and craft, natural wonders, flora and fauna and the economy.

In addition, this new series of banknote has Incorporated enhanced security features in line with the latest advancements in banknote technology. The security features for the new banknotes include shadow image, clear window, watermark portrait with pixel and highlighted numerals, colour shifting security thread, micro lens thread, perfect see-through register, coloured glossy patch for public recognition. Other features include tactile identification which enables the visually impaired to identify and distinguish the different denominations.

In conjunction with the official launched of the 4th series of Malaysian Banknotes, the BNM is issuing the commemorative banknotes for collection. The are three types of commemorative banknotes issued as following:-

A collection of two banknotes (RM1 and RM5 denomination) - 500,000 sets priced at RM15.00 each.

A collection of a single banknote (RM20 denomination) - 500,000 sets priced at RM30.00 each.

A collection of six banknotes (RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50 and RM100 denominations) - 50,000 sets priced at RM300.00 each. For each set of this collection, all the banknote denominations will carry the same serial number.

The obverse side of the 4th series of banknotes retain the portrait of the first Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the national flower Rosa-sinensis hibiscus (known locally as the 'Bunga Raya'), the face value of the banknote, the words 'Bank Negara Malaysia' as the issuing authority of the banknotes and patterns of traditional woven fabric the 'songket' which are in the background and edges of the banknote to reflect traditional Malaysian textile handicraft and embroidery. Other features include the tactile identification for the visual impaired, watermark portrait with pixel and highlighted numerals.

The reverse side of the 4th series of banknotes illustrate the different elements of nature, tradition, culture, flora, fauna and the economy that are distinctively Malaysian. This series of banknotes also retain the Bank Negara Malaysia logo, serial numbers, Jawi wordings and songket weave patterns on the reverse side of the banknotes.

For further information of the newly launched series of Malaysian Banknotes, please visit the official website of THE NEW SERIES OF MALAYSIAN BANKNOTES by BNM. You can find detail description of each denomination banknotes and a video clips that reveals the new series of Malaysian Banknotes.

RM20 is back for the 4th Series after it was discontinued in 3rd Series of the Malaysian Banknotes. According to BNM, the reintroduction of RM20 denomination is meet public's need for an intermediary denomination between the RM10 and the RM50 denomination. This is for the convenience of the public in meeting the needs for payments.

The reverse side of the RM20 banknote features two of the most well-known species of sea turtles endemic to Malaysian waters - the Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) and Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). The two turtles were chosen to represent the rich and colourful marine life found in our tropical waters. The Hawsbill is easily identified by its curved beak and scaly shell while the Leatherback has a leathery skin and seven ridges on its shell. These gentle turtles are a reminder that their existence rests in the delicate balance of human activity and marine life conservation.

The two newly launched polymer banknotes in 4th Series are RM1 and RM5 denomination. According to BNM the introduction or RM1 polymer banknote is because of polymer banknote has an extended life cycle and most suitable for a lower denomination which has a high usage.

The RM1 polymer banknote features kite flying which is a popular sport in Malaysia especially in Kelantan and Terengganu. Kite flying is also traditionally a celebration of a good harvest which brings together the local communities in these states. Amongst the best known and most iconic Malaysian kites s the 'Wau Bulan' or Moon Kite which is features on the new RM1. The Wau Bulan, which is handed crafted from bamboo and paper, is also a popular decorative item that adorns the walls of Malaysian homes.

The RM5 polymer banknote features the Rhinoceros Hornbill (Buceros rhinoceros), one of the largest and most magnificent hornbill species in the world. Found in low densities throughout various rainforests in the country, this beautiful, broad-winged and long tailed forest bird plays an important role in the customs and traditional ceremonies of Sarawak which is known as 'Bumi Kenyalang' or Land of Hornbills. Hornbill is also seen as a symbol of strength and courage by the native communities of Sarawak.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

One thing that I have learned during my recent visit to Money Museum at SasanaKijang is that there was a series of specimen banknotes printed under the Central Bank of Malaya (Bank NegaraTanahMelayu) in 1950s by a British printer but were never confirmed and released.

If we can recall the history, the authority to issue currencies is vested under the The Central Bank of Malaya Ordinance 1958, which formed the Central Bank of Malaya (Bank NegaraTanahMelayu) in January 1959. However, the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo continued to issue currencies until June 1967.

Specimen banknote under Bank NegaraTanahMelayu

Therefore, I believe many of the guide books or reference books have not mentioned the existence of the these banknotes which was intended to be issued under Bank NegaraTanahMelayu. One might have a very rare change to see them unless you are in this gallery.

Specimen banknotes

There are other specimens banknotes displayed. For instance the first series of RM100 not was printed without the portrait of DYMM Yang Di-PertuanAgong. Others were printed adopting the similar concept or design from the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo. But none of them were successfully gone through it.

Friday, October 21, 2011

I recently made another trip to Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) Money Museum or Sasana Kijang located at Jalan Tun Hussien Onn, Kuala Lumpur after its official opening by Prime Minister in September 2011. Indeed, I found that it is a very interesting museum or gallery that one should visit to understand the development of currency in this country.

The money museum or numismatic gallery displays chronological currencies in Malaysia, starting from early currencies used in Malay states and Borneo island to the recent currency issued by Bank Negara Malaysia. You can find many early currencies such as tin coins or tin block currency issued by various Malay states. Besides tin, there are gold coins which formally known as mas or kupang. Of course there are also coins displayed from the Malacca Sultanate in mid-15th century.

Main Entrance of Numismatic Gallery located at second floor.

Other than currencies from the Malay states, the gallery also collect wide range of currencies during colonial rule. Among them are the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese Occupational currencies. The gallery also displays many currency of the British Government in the Straits Settlement, the British rule in Sarawak and North Borneo, the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and the Board of Commissioners of Currency Malaya and British Borneo.

Early Malay states' coins display

The British Occupational Currency

The gallery is not complete without the current series of Malaysian currency issued by BNM from 1967 until now. A complete series of Malaysian coins and banknotes are available for viewing from First Series to its current Fourth Series. You also have a change to take a closer look at a complete series of commemorative coins issued by BNM.

A complete series of Malaysian Banknotes

Before leaving the gallery, you definitely do not want to missout a special section that display the currency around the world. These world currencies are alphabetically arranged and most of these notes are specimen note issued by central banks.

World Currency Notes

This museum or gallery is free admission and I strongly suggest coin and banknote collectors to pay it a visit. It is worth spending some time there, you might encounter some collections that you have not seen before. For those who want to know more about the development of our country currencies, this gallery provides all.

Sunday, September 18, 2011

A press statement was released by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) on 14 September 2011 in conjunction with the official launching of Sasana Kijang by the Prime Minister, Y.A.B. Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Tun Abdul Razak.

Sasana Kijang is a realization of BNM's aspiration to establish a centre of excellence in knowledge and learning in central banking and finance. It is also a home to the international Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB), an international organization for the setting of prudential standard of the Islamic Finance and the SEACEN Centre, a regional learning and research centre for central banks in South East Asia.

Prime Minister taking a look at world currencies on display at Sasana Kijang during the launching day. Photo from Btimes.

In addition to the training facilities, offices and conference halls, Sasana Kijang with a built up area of 1.09 million sq. ft. also hosts the BNM Knowledge and Management Centre and BNM Museum and Art gallery which is open to the public in October 2011.

The words 'Sasana' is derived from Sanskrit and describes a site, centre, building or arena where communities gather for meetings. While the 'Kijang' is BNM's official logo. The Sasana Kijang's architectural concept is inspired from the shape of the Cowrie shell, a popular form of money in the Malay peninsular during the 3rd century. Its external building facade derived from the geometric patterns of traditional Malaysian songket motifs, reflecting the hard woven design.

The external facade of "Sasana Kijang', an modern architectural design

Located opposite the Memorial Tunku Abdul Rahman at Jalan Tun Husssein Onn, the Sasana Kijang building adopted modern architectural design with full glazing and curtain walling. It allows the natural light ventilation throughout most corner of the building. I am impress with the building concept and its modern architectural design.

A few days prior to the official opening of 'Sasana Kijang', I was attending a course around the area and managed to pay the building a visit during the break. At that time, most of the areas in the building are already in operational except a small corner was still in final stage of renovation. I could not figure out the exact location of Money Museum despite talking to the security personal. But I will definitely pay them a visit again.

For numismatists or collectors, I am pretty sure that this has been long waited for since the closure of Money Museum and Museum Shop at BNM in July 2007. And finally, it is back again.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Another exciting day for coin collectors with the official launched of the new Third Series of the Malaysian coins which will be available for circulation in early 2012. Tan Sri Dr. Zeti Akhtar Aziz, governor of Bank Negara Malasyia, launched these commemorative coins which come in the denominations of 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen.

The new coins series draws inspiration from distinctive features that define the nation's rich culture and heritage. The design motifs were crafted in the form of nature, flora and fauna and traditional handicraft which is found in Malaysia.

This series of new coins are smaller and lighter compare to previous two series, making its more user-friendly for the public. The yellow and silver coloured coins and the edge designs enable the public and also the visually impaired to identify and distinguish the different denominations. The new series of coins embodies the latest advancements in minting technology which incorporates improved counterfeit resistance security features. The new metal alloy used for minting has enhanced durability against wear and corrosion.

Bank Negara Malaysia will make available 500,000 sets of the commemorative coins (Brilliant Uncirculated) comprising all the coin denominations with special packaging and to be sold in stages to the public at RM 10.00 per set.

These coins will be available for sale from 26 July 2011 at Bank Negara Malaysia's headquarters (BNMLINK) and its branches located in Pulau Pinang, Johor Bahru, Kuala Terengganu, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching.

The 3rd Series of Malaysian Coins

The motif for the 5 sen, 10 sen and 20 sen denomination features fourteen dots representing the thirteen States and the Federal Territory and (with exception of the 50 sen coin) five horizontal lines representing the five principles of the 'Rukun Negara' (national pillars).

The motifs for each domination are as follows:-

50 sen - Sulur Kacang

20 sen -Bunga Melur

10 sen - Orang Asli Motif

5 sen - Destar Siga

The reverse of all coins, 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen features the same motifs i.e. the hibiscus which is the national flower and numerals indicating the year of minting, the face value of the coin and the words 'Bank Negara Malaysia' as the issuing authority of the coins.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

On May 1999, Bank Negara Malaysia had issued an reminder to the public that effective on 1 July 1999 the currency notes of RM500 and RM1000 denominations (2nd Series of Malaysian Banknotes) will be demonetized and shall cease to be legal tender. This was mainly due to the Asian monetary crisis of 1997 whereby huge amounts of Malaysian currency were taken out of the country to be traded in these notes.

In the recent answer given by the Deputy Finance Minister to the Parliament, he has pointed out that there are still 150,599 and 26,018 pieces of RM500 and RM1000 still have yet to be "recalled" by BNM. In other words, a total amount of RM75,299,500.00 of RM500 and RM26,018,000.00 of RM1000 have been ceased to be legal tender.

As of 30 January 2011, BNM has withdrawn 92.4% of RM500 and 99.4% of RM1000 note.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

On 23rd May 2011, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) announced that a new series of design of Malaysian banknotes and coins will be issued in early 2011, an exercise that is undertaken every 12 years.

The theme of the design of this series of currency will include features that are distinctively Malaysia. It will also have enhanced security elements in line with the latest advancements in technology for currency notes.

The new fourth series design of banknotes will be features in the denominations of RM1, RM5, RM10, RM20 and RM100. The current design of RM50 banknote issued in December 2007 to commemorate Malaysia's 50th anniversary of Independence will remain in circulation.

The new coins are the third in the series for denominations of 5 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen and 50 sen. This new series of banknotes and coins will co-circulated with the existing series until the latter are gradually withdraw from the market.

As part of the effort to increase public awareness on the new currency series, Bank Negara Malaysia will issue the commemorative coins for the third series and unveil the new fourth series banknotes design in the third quarter of 2011.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Soon after the release of three alphabets prefix i.e. AAA by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) in 2010, the replacement notes have also followed with the three alphabets prefix i.e. ZAA. And recently, the ZAB replacement notes also release to the market.

There is an obvious discrepancy between the ZAA and ZAB. Noted that the font size used for ZAB is slightly bigger than ZAA. In ZAB replacement note, you will notice that the prefix font size is bigger than the first numeric font i.e. 'ZAB' has a bigger font size than '0'. However, you will not find this in ZAA replacement note.

This is just to share a piece of ZE replacement note received in daily transaction. Many times, you need no spend extra bulks or pay premium to own a piece of replacement note. They just appear in front of you without notifying you. However, it is usually hard to discover a UNC replacement note in your daily transaction. Unless you are so lucky to withdraw them fresh from ATM machine or it appears in your new stack of money that you exchange from bank.

For those collectors whom have read my earlier postings by now should be aware that this 4th series of RM50 replacement note that carry the prefix ZB is meant for replacement on those notes that do not carry any 50th anniversary logo i.e. prefix AF onwards.

Only replacement note ZA has 50th anniversary logo on the reserve side of the note. Therefore ZA note is replacement for prefix AA to AE.

Welcome To My Blog

Welcome to my blog. This blog provides and updates you on information that relates to Malaysian currency and other Southeast Asian currency. There are many ordinary collectors around the world that just like you and me. However, there aren't many blogs that share the story and history of banknote or coin. I hope to share with you a little information of Malaysia and Southeast Asian country's currency.

Collecting banknote has been my hobby since many years ago. I enjoy viewing the unique design and color of each banknote or coin. One of my excitements is to get know of the MALAYSIA and other Asian countries' history through collecting banknotes /paper money and coins.

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